Welcome to the CRE podcast. 100% Canadian, 100% commercial real estate. What if the global geopolitical churn is actually creating opportunities to realign your portfolio?
In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, powered by First National, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk are joined by Bliss Edwards, EVP at SmartStop Self Storage, to unpack why self-storage is emerging as a major asset class in Canada. Bliss explains how a significant supply gap, especially compared to the US, is creating long-term investment opportunities.
The conversation explores how urban density is driving consistent demand, why location strategy hinges on proximity and visibility, and how technology is transforming pricing and operations. From cluster-based expansion strategies to AI-driven revenue management, this episode outlines why self-storage is evolving into a sophisticated, high-growth segment of commercial real estate.
What you will learn:
- How to leverage Canada’s massive supply gap to drive investment returns
- Why density, not dislocation, is the primary demand driver in Canada
- The revenue management framework that replaces human pricing with AI-driven optimization
- How to identify viable markets using population thresholds and cluster strategy
- Why location matters more than amenities in self-storage, and how to define “location” correctly
- The operational shift from opening doors to running a sophisticated business
Bliss Edwards is Executive Vice President, Canada at SmartStop Self Storage, with over a decade of experience in the self-storage industry. He specializes in strategic growth, market expansion, and operational excellence, helping transform the sector into a sophisticated, institutional asset class. With a background in urban planning and municipal development review, Edwards combines vision with execution, positioning SmartStop as Canada’s leading self-storage builder while delivering consistent value to customers and stakeholders.
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